Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
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Side Effects

Isotretinoin is a vitamin A derivative called a retinoid that is taken orally and is approved only for severe acne. It is thought...

Isotretinoin is a vitamin A derivative called a retinoid that is taken orally and is approved only for severe acne. It is thought to clear acne primarily through its ability to permanently reduce skin oil (sebum) production.

Isotretinoin is available in capsule form and is usually taken twice a day. Your physician will prescribe an initial dose, and this dose may increase or decrease depending on the response to treatment and side effects.

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1
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Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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August 10, 2012

Pros:

-It actually works!
-Easy to take
-Clears skin

Cons:

-Dry lips
-Minor joint pain

Hey folks, So chances are...if you're reading these words right now you were in the same situation I was 6 months ago. If you're looking into Accutane then you've come to the right place to get an unbiased summary. I'll start off with what you want to know, it works. It works well...it works to the degree where I've forgotten what my bad skin looked like. It's amazing! However, that being said I was extremely cognitive of what the side effects were. I took the dice, rolled it and won. You need to understand that you won't see results overnight, it takes time and patience. I had a few side effects. They included: dry lips,minor joint pain (but I do work out everyday) and a sore back ( again, I work out often so who knows if Accutane was a catalyst to this pain). As per my alcohol intake, I did drink and made sure my blood work was fine. The blood work was a bit annoying but you need to remind yourself how badly you want clear skin. Bottom line. It works, try it if you've tried everything else!
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August 9, 2012

Pros:

None!

Cons:

SIDE EFFECTS!
ACNE MAY RETURN!
NOT WORTH THE RISK!

It has terrible side effects! If your thinking about using this product please don't! The side effects are not worth the prize. So what if you cleared your acne but screwed up a bunch of other things in your body. Please read the side effects of this product and know that there is a good chance that they may happen to you!
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August 8, 2012

Pros:

Cleared skin up completely
VERY mild side effects, if any

Cons:

Scarring/Hyperpigmentation
Dryness

I suffered acne from around the age of 12 but it started to become severe around the age of 14/15. it really got me down and i started to suffer anxiety/depression, i refused to look at myself in the mirror, got ready in the dark etc..i started accutance in january '12..things definitely got worse before they got better and i had a pretty emotional time for the first few months..however month 5 and things really started to improve..the dryness isn't completely unbearable but isn't attractive either..however, using a gentle moisturiser, like oilatum, it did appear slightly less unappealing..i've been off accutane 2 months now and my skin is completely clear..i do however, have some red marks, which i think is hyperpigmentation..this can be just as horrible as the acne itself and does often get me down but my dermatologist informed me it would go within a year..so fingers crossed..otherwise there are options, such as chemical peels which i will most definitely undergo if it doesn't fade. i can cover it quite easily with concealer,foundation etc...so basically, the six months of accutane are DEFINITELY worth it..good luck, i know how horrible acne is!
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August 4, 2012

Pros:

CLEAR SKIN!
scarring fading
confidence

Cons:

joint pain
mood swings
dry skin
nose bleeds
dry hair
no alcohol
ipledge

i had VERY severe nodular acne. to the point where i didn't go in public. I was very skeptical to start it because I read reviews that acne would get worse, also the crazy side effects. But it got to the point where I had no other choice because no antibiotic or topical could help my skin at all. Within a week my cysts had reduce swelling. It was AMAZING! Within the next month I didn't have a bump on my face and I haven't had one since. I was on it for 6 months and have been off for 5 months and I'm so happy I took it because I can finally look in the mirrior and not cry. The side effects were annoying but tolerable. You just have to be careful and let your doctor know the issues so you can get off of it. The side effects were minimal for me but it's different for everyone but don't let them keep you from taking it if you have severe acne. If I get another flare there's no doubt that I would go on Accutane again. It is a life changer if you have no other choice. I've only gotten a few whiteheads and that was during my period but other than that I'm acne free. I've never been so happy with my skin. I've suffered acne for 8 years. Try it, see if it works for you, don't get your hopes up so your not disapointed. Good Luck!
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August 2, 2012

Pros:

Clear skin
No more oily skin
No more greasy hair
Raised confidence & self esteem

Cons:

Side effects, see below.

Lips - Dry & cracked, I had sores at the sides of my mouth during the whole course regardless of what lip treatments I used. Prone to coldsores during course. Eyes - dry, infections, itchy, blood shot, felt grainy, next to no night vision, occasional blurred vision. Nose - very dry inside, and sore, causing amazing nosebleeds. Sex drive - None existent. Periods - irregular despite being on hormone free birth control. Mood - Paranoid every time I cried or had a short temper, but nothing unusual to report. Skin - awful pigmentation, now having to do chemical peels to resolve. IB was crap and lasted for 3 whole months, came clear the first week of the fourth month. Hair - thinned out, luckily I had very thick hair to begin with. Social - I did drink occasionally during the treatment, suffered extreme hangovers even after only 3 glasses of wine. Blood - I only had 3 blood tests during a 4 month course, which I dealt with. Urine - very dark and smelly in the first month, please drink plenty of fluids, you will dehydrate. Joints - painful, achy knees and back. Headaches - daily. Tiredness - Oh so tired!!!!!!!!!!!!! Activity - I actually quit the gym as I couldn't cope, I did have days where I didn't want to leave the house, my social life was definitely effected. My bottom line is, this medication is extreme and I wouldn't recommend it, at all, to anyone who hasn't got 6 months available to feel and look like complete and utter sh*t. Everyone I know has reacted differently to this medication, some are left feeling suicidal, some seem to breeze through the treatment, please listen to what your body is telling you and form an honest relationship with your derm, do not be scared of them taking the meds away from you, they may just have to adjust your dose. I am acne free, finally, at 30! I wish I had done it sooner. Despite the side effects, it was worth it, for me :) Good luck to anyone considering
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July 30, 2012

Pros:

Clear skin and no more inflamed acne
After years of using make-up to make my skin look presentable, I can just dust on powder and go
Saves me time in the morning and getting ready to go out
My skin is way less oily
I saw a difference within a few weeks
My Doc said when I am done the results will last for 5 years +
Because my ace was more moderate, I may not need to be on it for the full 5 months

Cons:

Dry lips (but with applying Aquaphor or other lip treatments it is okay...I also got samples and a $5 copay prescription for a moisturizer)
Blood tests and the Ipledge program (I put off Accutane for 2 years after talking with my doctor about it. I was scared from some of the reviews I read online and did not think my acne was bad enough to bother with it. Now I wish I had done it sooner. Some people have side effects, but it is def worth giving a try. It has changed my life!

It has changed my life and I wish I tried it sooner! I put off trying Accutane for years and have tried every other thing out there, but am so glad that I finally did it. Talk with your dermatologist and see if they feel you are a fit for it. Even if you think your acne is not bad enough, it is worth discussing. I spent years not swimming because of my skin and sent way too much time applying make-up to look good. Now my skin looks great with nothing. It is back to how it was when I was a little kid. Accutane sucks all of the oil out and reverts your skin to like it was when you were a young child. After usage, it takes years for your pores to build back up wih oil. Such an amazing product!
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July 23, 2012

Pros:

clears acne in three months
no acne at the end of the course
nice smooth skin

Cons:

dry lips
dry eyes
mild dry skin
tired

ACCUTANE IS AMAZING! it changed my life:) if you have acne issues give this medication a chance. my skin has never been so clear. i've used every acne product in the market and they never worked. finally i went on accutane and my only regret is that i should have went on it years sooner! please don't wait just go on the medication! 5 stars :))))
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July 20, 2012

Pros:

no more oily skin
no more acne

Cons:

chapped lips
dry skin
noise bleeds
body aches (back pain, etc)
liver problems
irregular period
tired all the time

if you can deal with the side effects... IT'S WORTH IT after i finished the course all of my side effects disappeared and now i'm left with clear skin (for now at least)
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July 18, 2012

Pros:

Clear skin, confidence boost (major!), don't have to worry about waking up with a new breakout, only take for 5 months, cheap (with insurance)

Cons:

very strong drug, dry skins and lips, be careful with alcohol (which I haven't really been :( ), takes a month or two to work, sun sensitive

totally worth it for me. I haven't felt depressed or any more moodiness than usual. In fact, I am more happy and confident due to my clear skin. I have taken spiro, minocycline, birth control pills and numerous topical medications in the past to control my acne. While they all worked temporarily, none of them fully and permanently cleared my moderate acne. I stopped leaving the house without tons of makeup and avoided sleepovers with friends for the longest time due to my acne and self-conciousness. I was depressed due to the state of my face. Now, I am so so so much happier thanks to accutane. I have one month left to go (4 months so far) and can only hope that my skin stays this clear after I am done. If you're suffering from acne, please try this!
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July 17, 2012

Pros:

has the potential to nearly clear your acne
don't have to take it for extended amounts of time like oral antibiotics

Cons:

hit or miss: it doesn't work permanently for everyone
monthly lab tests
acne gets worse before it gets better
lots of dryness and itching
nose bleeds
can make you fatigued
can make joints achy
makes you very sun sensitive.

i am taking accutane (claravis brand name) for the second time in my life. my dermatologist told me that the younger you are when you take it, the more likely your acne is to return, and that 25% of all users need a second round in their lifetime. i find this to be true. i have 3 friends who took accutane as teenagers and have beautiful skin still now that we're in our early 30's...but i'm the 25% that needs a second round. :( my first round of accutane was when i was 15, and it gave me GREAT skin for about 12 years...but i starting having massive breakouts on my face, neck, jawline, hairline, chest, and back about 3 years ago. tried every oral antibiotic under the sun, used every prescription topical. minimal results. when my acne started back up again, i was really disappointed that my insurance would not cover accutane (it is horrifically expensive in the US). i'm thrilled that now it DOES cover it for a mere $30/month copay! i would have gone back on it in a heartbeat 3 years ago if my insurance had paid for it. i've been on my second round for a month, and i'm having the expected dryness, but this is just how the medication works, and i'm willing to deal with it for 4-5 more months. i'm lucky that i do not have any of the hair loss or mood swings that other people report. all the side effects i have are minor and a bit bothersome, but not awful. a good moisturizing body wash (i use an all natural shea butter based soap from my local health food store), a good lotion with SUNSCREEN (living in florida, i feel like i'm frying after about 5 seconds in the sun - no exaggeration), and a good lip balm (i use carmex) make my accutane treatment very manageable.
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website